Hello all!
I am a 33 yr old female in 'Limbo Land' I suppose. I have been experiencing issues since January and today was my long awaited neurology appointment. It took me this long to get here because I started at a hand specialist thinking I had carpal tunnel. What began for me as hand tingling & pain has progressed and I've had SO many symptoms the past 6 months: tingling, itching episodes, weak arm, trouble walking, tire easily, ringing ears (only happened twice), shooting pains in toes and nail beds. My symptoms are random and they come and go. I will have several "bad days" in a row then a handful of good ones. I have been ruled out for: Diabetes, thyroid, Lupus, RA, B12 deficiency, Carpal tunnel, and probably some others I'm forgetting. I've done so many tests and bloodwork - it's exhausting!
Today, I was told my neuro exam was "normal". Still, she called for a brain and cervical spinal cord MRI.
I have a few questions, starting with -
* on the imaging orders, there was a "Diagnosis" line - neurologist wrote "parathesia of skin; weakness; demyelinating disease of the central nervous system". Does this mean she is/has diagnosed me with a demyelination disease? I have googled and know that MS isn't the only one, but in our consult she didn't mention anything with certainty, so this worried me when I read it on the imaging orders.
* does anyone have familiarity with the MRI process, she called for "w/out contrast". I have read mixed reviews. Is there a reason for this or should I be worried I should have contrast?
* what is the standard process for getting my scan results? I know you are supposed to get them from the dr. who ordered them (right?) and not from the imaging place. Well, my issue with that is, this neurologist I chose to see is VERY hard to get in to. I had to set my follow up appt. for OCTOBER 2. She is booked until then! It's crazy. I imagine I'll have an MRI completed before the middle of August, then wait 6 more weeks to hear about what they mean. Very frustrating, how should I handle or should I try to get them before somehow?
* today, at my appt, was a "good day for me and I was feeling good. Would you pass a neuro exam on a good day and fail on a bad day? Just wondering if that would matter. My balance, for example, isn't off 100% of the time, only certain times.
Anyways, not sure if this makes sense or if anyone has thoughts. I'd love to hear any input or your experiences in this area. Thank you for reading my long post. I am definitely anxious about this whole ordeal and would just like to get some answers so that I can move on with a diagnosis of some sort, and a treatment plan to feel better!
best wishes
I am a 33 yr old female in 'Limbo Land' I suppose. I have been experiencing issues since January and today was my long awaited neurology appointment. It took me this long to get here because I started at a hand specialist thinking I had carpal tunnel. What began for me as hand tingling & pain has progressed and I've had SO many symptoms the past 6 months: tingling, itching episodes, weak arm, trouble walking, tire easily, ringing ears (only happened twice), shooting pains in toes and nail beds. My symptoms are random and they come and go. I will have several "bad days" in a row then a handful of good ones. I have been ruled out for: Diabetes, thyroid, Lupus, RA, B12 deficiency, Carpal tunnel, and probably some others I'm forgetting. I've done so many tests and bloodwork - it's exhausting!
Today, I was told my neuro exam was "normal". Still, she called for a brain and cervical spinal cord MRI.
I have a few questions, starting with -
* on the imaging orders, there was a "Diagnosis" line - neurologist wrote "parathesia of skin; weakness; demyelinating disease of the central nervous system". Does this mean she is/has diagnosed me with a demyelination disease? I have googled and know that MS isn't the only one, but in our consult she didn't mention anything with certainty, so this worried me when I read it on the imaging orders.
* does anyone have familiarity with the MRI process, she called for "w/out contrast". I have read mixed reviews. Is there a reason for this or should I be worried I should have contrast?
* what is the standard process for getting my scan results? I know you are supposed to get them from the dr. who ordered them (right?) and not from the imaging place. Well, my issue with that is, this neurologist I chose to see is VERY hard to get in to. I had to set my follow up appt. for OCTOBER 2. She is booked until then! It's crazy. I imagine I'll have an MRI completed before the middle of August, then wait 6 more weeks to hear about what they mean. Very frustrating, how should I handle or should I try to get them before somehow?
* today, at my appt, was a "good day for me and I was feeling good. Would you pass a neuro exam on a good day and fail on a bad day? Just wondering if that would matter. My balance, for example, isn't off 100% of the time, only certain times.
Anyways, not sure if this makes sense or if anyone has thoughts. I'd love to hear any input or your experiences in this area. Thank you for reading my long post. I am definitely anxious about this whole ordeal and would just like to get some answers so that I can move on with a diagnosis of some sort, and a treatment plan to feel better!
best wishes
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